CARDIFF CITY clinched a hard-fought victory over Wrexham to secure the Bute Energy Welsh Cup, completing their inaugural domestic treble. Rhianne Oakley and Emma Beynon each scored in a half to lead Cardiff to their third consecutive Welsh Cup win, celebrated in front of a record crowd of 1,734 supporters at Rodney Parade.
Despite it being Wrexham’s maiden Welsh Cup final appearance, the Red Dragons can depart Newport with pride intact after challenging the treble-winning Bluebirds throughout the match.
Iain Derbyshire’s squad seized the coveted trophy, capping a historic season following their successes in the Adran Premier and Adran Trophy. Cheryl Foster made history by leading the first all-female refereeing team in a final.
The match ignited early with Oakley’s promising run leading to a chance that soared over the bar. Wrexham’s Carra Jones saw her effort comfortably saved by City goalkeeper Ceryn Chamberlain.
Cardiff broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Oakley combined with Beynon for a clinical finish past Wrexham’s Delyth Morgan. Beynon’s subsequent long-range strike was expertly blocked by Morgan, maintaining Cardiff’s slim advantage at halftime.
Wrexham’s Amber Lightfoot squandered two chances post-interval, firing over and then straight at Chamberlain. City thought they had doubled their lead through Eliza Collie’s header from Seren Watkins’ corner, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Rosie Hughes missed a crucial chance for Wrexham, and Chamberlain denied Lightfoot again, keeping Cardiff in the lead. Mikayla Cook’s attempt for Cardiff went over before Emma Beynon sealed the victory with a superb curled shot from distance in stoppage time.
Cardiff City Lineup: Ceryn Chamberlain, Fifon Price (Hollie Smith 90 +4), Hannah Power, Siobhan Walsh (C), Megan Bowen, Rhianne Oakley (Lisa Owen 76), Seren Watkins, Molly Kehoe (Kelly Adams 88), Mikayla Cook, Emma Beynon (Kerry Walklett 90+4), Eliza Collie
Unused Substitutions: Anna Phelps
Bookings: Seren Watkins 25
Wrexham Lineup: Delyth Morgan, Phoebe Davies, Olivia Fuller, Erin Lovett, Brooke Cairns (Annie Small 57), Rebecca Pritchard, Amber Lightfoot, Carra Jones, Lili Jones, Keren Allen (Katie Sharp 90+3), Mari Gibbard (Rosie Hughes 69)
Unused Substitutions: Chloe Ankers, Tonicha Dickens
Bookings: Keren Allen 85
